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Aries
Every kid reacts to things differently, and only you know yours well enough to know.
But... it's very common for kids (like the rest of us) to fear the unknown more than the familiar. Odds are, if you point out the advantages she would have in a new home and location, she will have some trepidation, but also some excitement about moving. The more you point out the positive, the more likely she is to welcome more than fear it. And, even if she doesn't ever really feel positive about it, she'll get over it and adjust.
I lived in two houses in the town where I was born (just across the river from sstrams btw), and moved to a new town and apartment when I was 14. I have fond memories of each place. It's never really been about WHERE we lived, as much as family. Sometimes I think it would have been cool to finish high school where I started, but there were a lot of opportunities that would not have existed there. The worst part was we moved from 3 blocks away from both sets of grandparents to 250 miles away, but even so I wouldn't really say I "lost" more than I gained. My parents made a good decision, but I was torn between going toward one thing, and leaving behind another.
Your daughter's life is going to completely change in 8-9 years anyway. Change is inevitable, and I'm sure she'll be okay in the long run, either way. If your wife is strongly opposed to it though, I probably wouldn't do it.
It sounds like you really want to move.
I do want to move. I have been searching for the ideal location for a long, long, time. So if I were a caveman, it would be like finding a really good cave to raise the family... I actually think it is innate need to find a location for the family's safety and enjoyment. And it is probably why I am more set on it than my wife is.
My wife's problem is her family and specifically her father. Her father keeps telling her she can't handle it and that it is too hard for her. Becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy I'm afraid.
Thank you very much for the advice!
